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Sunday, June 30, 2013

In a vastly different and darker Philadelphia of 1844, steam power has been repressed, war threatens from deep, dark waters, and one young lady of high social standing is expecting a surprise at her seventeenth birthday party–but certainly not the one she gets!

Jordan Astraea, who has lived out all of her life in Philadelphia’s most exclusive neighborhood, is preparing to celebrate her birthday with friends, family and all the extravagance they might muster. The young man who is most often her dashing companion, Rowen Burchette, has told her a surprise awaits her and her best friend, Catrina Hollindale, wouldn’t miss this night for all the world!

But storm clouds are gathering and threatening to do far more than dampen her party plans because someone in the Astraea household has committed the greatest of social sins by Harboring a Weather Witch.

“Perfection,
like beauty, must be worked at in order to be obtained. You do not work as hard
as you should.”

Catrina
had once remarked that a beautiful lady could never have too many mirrors.

Promising
herself to Rowen was only a gain to him. And a misstep could be dangerous to
rank – a badly planned marriage, a social faux pas, magick discovered in one’s heritage…many
things could send a family hurtling toward ruin. But magick – it was the worst –
it was a nearly inescapable taint and the only thing that did more than ruin a
family’s reputation. Magick was even worse than being a Catholic in
Philadelphia.

“Should
not all angels sparkly beyond mortal means? If Jordan judges her to be angelic,
I second the notion, for there is no lady here closer to heavenly than our own
Jordan Astraea.”

Jordan
Astraea is about to turn seventeen and is surrounded by her best friends and
family on the evening of her huge birthday celebration. She has been told many
times how important her rank and beauty are to her life and social standing in society.
Rowen, the boy who has had her heart since her earlier years, is below her rank
but Jordan cannot bear to think about parting with him just yet. Catrina,
Jordan’s so called best friend, reminds Jordan just who she is and where she
comes from often enough. In the society that these girls live in, rank is
everything, and if you do not come from a formidable rank then you have
nothing. This is why everyone is surprised when on Jordan’s seventeenth
birthday she is called out as a weather witch, the lowest rank there is. Jordan
and her family know this must be a misunderstanding or just an outright lie
because no one in her family has ever shown any signs of witchcraft. Jordan’s
entire life and existence comes crashing down right before her eyes as she is
whisked away from her family and those she loves.

I
was greatly impressed with the society that Delany presents to us in her new
novel/series. The idea of a weather witch was phenomenal and highly intriguing,
especially to someone like me who loves witches and the supernatural. The only
problem that I had with this book was the fact that the world building was so
large and important that I felt like I was in information overload. Sometimes
while reading I found myself confused as to what Delany was referring to. For
example, when Jordan first states that she is Fifth of the Nine, I thought
maybe this had something to do with being a witch, but I later found out that
this refers to rank. This all eventually came together as I read on, but I would
have liked to been informed of everything up front.

I
loved Rowen’s character as well as Jordan’s character. I was somewhat eerie at first
regarding Jordan, mainly because I thought she would be just like her spoiled
friend Catrina, but I was surprisingly shocked at how she turned out. I knew
that Jordan had a good heart whenever she was questioning her relationship with
Rowen. She knew that rank was important, but she couldn’t bear the thought of
hurting him. Catrina was an exceptional character as well, even though I did
not care for her. However, I think this was the point in this story. Delany can
write cunning, mischievous, and brats, and she can write them well! And trust
me that is a compliment!

***A
copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at St. Martin’s Griffin
in exchange for my honest review***

Friday, June 28, 2013

CURRENT STATUS: No job, no boyfriend, no permanent place to live, no car,
and most of my clothes are held together with staples and duct tape. Bank
account almost wiped out. Many of my former associates have expressed a desire
that I never darken their doorways again for legal and financial reasons.

She-Hulk got us got us kicked out of the Avengers Mansion. People keep
posting videos online of her New Year's Eve shenanigans: twirling, flaming
telephone poles in Times Square, climbing the Empire State Building while
dangling Anderson Cooper...

Saying there are two sides to Jennifer Walters's personality is an
understatement. When she hasn't morphed into a 650-pound, crime-fighting,
hard-partying superhero, she's a single lawyer trying to get her act together.
Hilarious and action-packed, The She-Hulk Diaries tells her story, as
she juggles her intense legal career by day with battling villains and saving
the world by night. Maybe bad guys will stop trying to destroy the planet so
she can have a real social life and even meet a guy who isn't trying to take
over the universe.

The
problem with New Year’s Resolutions is that you’re expected to make tectonic
lifestyle changes immediately after the holidays, when your brain is lumpy and
dried out as a slice of fruitcake that someone shoved under the sofa.

Well,
Shulky had hung the drapes and she always changed the lightbulbs without complaining.
She kills scary spiders in corners. She only eats out, so she never leaves
dirty dishes. Frequently, she brings back bottles of expensive wine, which are
useful as hostess gifts, and she always passes to movie previews. I didn’t feel
so irked as I organized her collection of BeDazzled booty shorts.

“Confident
men do not denigrate women,” I said. “Cease abusing my client or I shall seek
redress.”

Superheroes
have a different dress code, too. Shulky’s PVC, Lycra, leather, sequined, and
studded ensembles crammed the guest closets. She always dumps her clothes on
the floor, expecting me to put away her thigh-high boots, spangled bikini
bottoms, and chain-mail bras. One of her halter tops had something gross and
sticky on it. I threw it away and scrubbed my hands with hot water and
antibacterial soap.

This
book was an awesome escape from the types of stories that I normally read. Here
we have Jennifer Walters, aka “She-Hulk”, and her life has just taken a turn
for the worst as she realizes she has no job, no boyfriend, no permanent place
of residence, and a sad excuse for a social life. The book is written, as the
title suggests, in the format of Jen’s diary and her epic personality and
sassiness comes out through her daily entries. The book starts on January 1,
the start of a New Year, and Jen has decided to make some New Year’s
Resolutions, except these resolutions will begin on February 14! She decides to
turn her life around. Little does she know, her superhuman side has far better
plans!

Jennifer
Walters does not refer to the She-Hulk, or Shulky, as a part of herself, but
rather as a friend that walks in and out of her life unknowingly. I knew little
about her character, but thought that Marta Acosta did a wonderful job of
exploring what Jennifer Walters might really be like, apart from She-Hulk. Jen
was full of surprises and I loved her quirky, funny personality which often
filled the pages with humor and sarcastic happenings. I also loved the diary
format and I contribute my strong like of Jennifer’s character to the format in
which the book was written. There were things crossed out and tons of lists
made my Jen. The pages of this book, otherwise known as Jen’s diary, gave me an
inside look into Jen’s head that I don’t think I would have received otherwise.

I
must admit that I do not know that much about the Marvel universe, but this
book has helped build my intrigue to find out more. I only know what I have
seen in movies and on television. To be honest with you, I had no idea that the
She-Hulk was even a character before I read this book. I thought Marta did a
fantastic job of connecting this book to the Marvel realm, while still giving
Jennifer Walters her own voice. There were several mentions of some pretty awesome
Marvel heroes that we all know and love, and this only helped build my wonder
to learn more about Marvel! I really wanted to read a comic book by the time I had
finished the book!

***A
copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at Hyperion in exchange
for my honest review***

A
summer wedding stirs up trouble on both sides of the family in this new novel
from bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand.

The Carmichaels and Grahams have gathered on Nantucket for a wedding. Plans are
being made according to the wishes of the bride's late mother, who left behind
The Notebook: specific instructions for every detail of her youngest daughter's
future nuptials. Everything should be falling into place for the beautiful
event--but in reality, things are far from perfect.

While the couple-to-be are quite happy, their loved ones find their own lives
crumbling. In the days leading up to the wedding, love will be questioned,
scandals will arise, and hearts will be broken and healed. Elin Hilderbrand
takes readers on a touching journey in BEAUTIFUL DAY--into the heart of
marriage, what it means to be faithful, and how we choose to honor our
commitments.

I
wish for you a beautiful day, Jenna, my darling. You alone will make it so.

The
wedding was taking on a life of its own. It was the damnedest thing. A person
could plan for months down to the tiniest detail, a person could hire someone
like Roger and have a set of written blueprints such as their mother had left –
and still things would go wrong. Still the unexpected would happen.

Jenna
accepted the Notebook graciously, then hugged it to her chest.

It
was only as Margot got out of the car and took in the staging for the wedding
that she appreciated what a very special day tomorrow would be. She and Jenna
had been talking about the backyard wedding for over a year, but that didn’t
prepare Margot for the excitement she felt now.

Elin
Hilderbrand seems to be everyone’s go to summer read, including me! I know I
was thrilled to death when I realized that she had a new book coming out this
summer. It seems that I have been finding a lot of wedding reads here lately,
and this is awesome because I am actually planning my own wedding right now. This
book tells the story of Jennifer Carmichael and her entire wedding party/family
as they prepare for her Nantucket wedding to Stuart Graham. Jenna’s mother,
Beth, passed away seven years prior to the wedding and in her absence left
behind a notebook for Jenna that details each of every part of her wedding.
Jenna carries the notebook and follows almost every piece of advice that her
mother gives for her big day. Most importantly, Beth wished for Jenna to have a
beautiful day!

I
am a sucker for any book about a wedding, and it doesn’t just have to do with
the fact that I am planning my own. Hearing the wedding details and seeing all
play out before my eyes is always a nice treat! This wedding takes place in
Nantucket and everything comes together so nicely off the pages, just like a
dream. The story is told from many different perspectives, except Jenna’s which
I would have like to see, including her sister Margot and her father, Doug.
Margot was my favorite voice. She really did love and care for her sister, but her
own life was unraveling before her eyes, so it was hard for her to focus on the
wedding. However, she came through as an exquisite maid of honor for Jenna.

My
favorite part was, of course, reading the snippets from the notebook left
behind by Jenna’s mother, Beth. I have read a few reviews where people say that
they can’t believe that Jenna followed everything her mother wanted for the
wedding, but I believe if you had lost your mother before your wedding you
might want to honor her in this way. I thought the detail from the notebook was
a nice touch, and it just set this book apart from so many other typical
wedding stories. Beth was a fun and loveable person. I wish she had been alive
to share in Jenna’s day!

Like
I mentioned before, the only sad thing for me was not really hearing a lot from
Jenna. However, that is not enough reason for me to knock it down a cupcake. This
book was touching and completely inspiring as I look towards my own wedding!

***An
ARC copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at Reagan Arthur
Books in exchange for my honest review***

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Their
ambitions were ordinary, but they were born too close to the throne...

As cousins of history's most tempestuous queens, Ladies Jane, Katherine, and
Mary Grey were born in an age when all of London lived beneath the Tower's
menacing shadow. Tyrannized by Bloody Mary and the Virgin Queen, the sisters
feared love was unthinkable —and the scaffold all but unavoidable...

Raised to fear her royal blood and what it might lead men to do in her name,
Mary Grey dreads what will become of herself and her elder sisters under the
reigns of Mary Tudor and Elizabeth I. On their honor, they have no designs on
the crown, yet are condemned to solitude, forbidden to wed. Though Mary,
accustomed to dwelling in the shadows, the subject of whispers, may never catch
the eye of a gentleman, her beautiful and brilliant sisters long for freedoms
that would surely cost their lives. And so, wizened for her years, Mary can
only hope for divine providence amid a bleak present and a future at the whim
of the throne — unless destiny gains the upper hand.

A gripping and bittersweet tale of broken families and broken hearts, courage
and conviction, The Queen's Rivals recounts an astonishing chapter in the
hard-won battle for the Tudor throne.

Only
a fool believes in Forever.

Kate
and I were unable to conceal or curtail our excitement, bobbing up and down on
our toes and fidgeting enough to provoke some sharp words from our lady-mother,
until at last we mounted our ponies and rode out with glad hearts, reveling in
the warm softness of our winter furs, gold-fringed and embroidered leather
gloves, and new velvet riding habits – cinnamon for Kate and black cherry for
me.

But
Jane had to soldier along bravely, pretending nothing was wrong, hiding her
head, and her sorrow, in her books, letting time pass and her heart heal, forcing
herself to forget that love for a mortal man had ever dared trespass on that sacred
ground where there was room for only God and learning.

This
book tells the story of the Grey sisters – Jane, Katherine, and Mary – whom I did
not know that much about until after reading. Of course, I did know more about
Jane than Katherine and Mary. This story is told from Mary’s perspective
because she is the youngest sister and lives the longest. Mary isn’t as
attractive or well-liked as her sisters and I loved Purdy’s take on her as a character.
This story follows the three sisters up to Jane’s wedding and their lives as
royals along with their family ties, marriages, and sudden twists and turns
that will have you wanting to know more about the women that were the Grey
sisters!

I
thought Mary’s voice was perfect for this book. As I said before, Mary was not
as praised and admired as her sisters were and she often mentions praying and
wishing to be more beautiful like them. Mary does adore her sisters, however,
and I think that Jane and Katherine were painted beautifully through her eyes.
Mary has such a good heart and her positive spirit always shines through even
when she and her sisters or her family in general are going through a rough
period politically, socially, or even emotionally. She was a great lead and I enjoyed
learning more about the Grey sister that seems to be swept under the rug often
times.

Lady
Jane Grey seems to be just an incredible bad word! At the beginning of the book
she seems like such a prude, but we find out more about Jane as we get deeper
into life with the Grey’s. She is the oldest sister, so most of what happens
throughout the book happens to her first. She gets married and assumes her own
household. However, what intrigued me the most about Jane was her desire to
follow God and better her education. At first this was all she cared about. She
didn’t want anything to do with being in love, and I enjoyed reading how
confident she was in her beliefs. She was definitely a strong-willed woman.

The
one thing that I did not enjoy about this book was the fact that some scenes
were vulgar and graphic. Mary leaves out no detail when it comes to sharing the
drunken state of her parents and their friends as they party into the wee hours
of the morning. And the list of events Mary describes just goes on and one. I
completely understand that this was part of the author’s tactic, but I could
have done without it.

I
did enjoy the book and I did enjoying traveling back through history,
especially at a time like this one!

***A
copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at Kensington in
exchange for my honest review***

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Max
would follow Sadie anywhere, so when Sadie decides to ditch her problems and
escape to Nebraska for the summer, it’s only natural for Max to go along. She
is Sadie’s confidante, her protector, and her best friend. This summer will be
all about them. This summer will be perfect.

But that’s before they meet Dylan.

Dylan is dangerous and intoxicating, and he awakens something in Max that she
never knew existed. No matter how much she wants to, she can’t back away.

But Sadie has her own intensity, and has never allowed Max to become close with
anyone else. And Max doesn’t know who she is without Sadie.

There are some problems you just can’t escape.

Sadie,
tonight is full of so much heartbreak, and you don’t even know it. And I will
not tell you. It is my job to hold it for both of us.

You’re
bored. Of course you’re bored. You get bored in Seattle, how could I expect a
farm to entertain you? It’s been four days, and already you’re talking about
stealing Doff’s truck and driving until we find a city.

It
is times like these when I’m struck dumb by your beauty and simultaneously surprised
that I have never once felt the slightest attraction to you. I have wanted to
kiss lots of girls, and you are by far the most beautiful girl I’ve ever known,
but I have never wanted to kiss you. Maybe it’s because you’re less a girl and
more like something else, something that straddles the worlds of light and
dark, something only half there, something half untouchable.

Sadie,
maybe this story isn’t about you anymore.

Amy
Reed is one of my favorite authors, and I am always intrigued to pick up one of
her books just to see what she is going to throw out at readers next. Her
writing is different and usually has some sort of mad twist to it. This book
was, however, not one of my favorites. I did give it 3 cupcakes, but I really
had higher hopes for this book. This book centers on the friendship of two
girls, Max and Sadie. Max is obsessed with Sadie, which completely took me by
surprise at first, and Sadie is just somewhat of an emotional mess. This book
is not going to be something that suits the taste of everyone. I have to tell
you now because I am dying to, the book starts off in second person saying “you”
A LOT! This took some getting used, and I usually do not care for this in books
at all. I can count on my hand the number of books that I have read and enjoyed
that use second person.

The
reason that I did enjoy this book is because it made me look at relationships a
little bit differently. We all know that romantic relationships can sometimes
be toxic, but this book gives readers a look at a friendship that is more toxic
that any I have read about in the past. Max and Sadie, in my opinion, do not
have a healthy relationship. This could be because Sadie is about as awful as
they come and I hated her, but I think that was the point in Reed’s writing
this story. Sadie was spoiled and completely self-centered and I hated the way that
she treated Max. If you want to feel good about the friendships or
relationships in your life, try reading this book.

At
first I saw Max as pitiful. She just did whatever Sadie wanted her to. She even
followed her out to Nebraska for the entire summer. Max is always getting
stepped on, and usually by Sadie. Both girls have personal issues that they are
trying to move past, but it felt to me like all the problems in Max’s life get
swept under the rug whenever Sadie decides to have a breakdown or decides that she
needs Max’s complete undivided attention. I wanted to grab Max out of the pages
at times and strangle her, and I haven’t felt that way towards a character in a
while. I am very adamant in my day to day life about standing up for yourself and
loving who you are. Do not make your happiness dependent upon anyone else, Max!

***A
copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at Simon Pulse in
exchange for my honest review***

From
Janet Evanovich, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Stephanie
Plum novels, and Lee Goldberg, bestselling author and television writer for Monk,
comes the first adventure in an electrifying new series featuring an FBI
agent who always gets her man, and a fearless con artist who lives for the
chase.
FBI Special Agent Kate O’Hare is known for her fierce dedication and discipline
on the job, chasing down the world’s most wanted criminals and putting them
behind bars. Her boss thinks she is tenacious and ambitious; her friends think
she is tough, stubborn, and maybe even a bit obsessed. And while Kate has made
quite a name for herself for the past five years the only name she’s cared
about is Nicolas Fox—an international crook she wants in more ways than
one.

Audacious, handsome, and dangerously charming, Nicolas Fox is a natural con
man, notorious for running elaborate scams on very high-profile people. At
first he did it for the money. Now he does it for the thrill. He knows that the
FBI has been hot on his trail—particularly Kate O’Hare, who has been watching
his every move. For Nick, there’s no greater rush than being pursued by a
beautiful woman . . . even one who aims to lock him up. But just when it seems
that Nicolas Fox has been captured for good, he pulls off his greatest con of
all: He convinces the FBI to offer him a job, working side by side with Special
Agent Kate O’Hare.

Problem is, teaming up to stop a corrupt investment banker who’s hiding on a
private island in Indonesia is going to test O’Hare’s patience and Fox’s skill.
Not to mention the skills of their ragtag team made up of flamboyant actors,
wanted wheelmen, and Kate’s dad. High-speed chases, pirates, and Toblerone bars
are all in a day’s work . . . if O’Hare and Fox don’t kill each other first.

“Don’t!”
she yelled, launching herself at him, hoping to take him down with a flying
tackle before he could make a suicidal mistake. Too late. She missed him by
inches, and hit the concrete hard just as Nick leapt off the building toward
the hovering chopper. Her heart stopped for a couple beats while he was in
midair, and resumed beating when he latched on to the helicopter’s landing
skid. He held on with one hand, blew her a kiss, and the chopper veered off
toward the Las Vegas Strip.

Kate
stared glumly at her reflection in the mirror and started to take off her
Kevlar vest. And that’s when she noticed it. She didn’t believe it at first,
and had to look over her shoulder to confirm it, but there it was: a Toblerone
bar on her pillow.

Kate
O’Hare’s favorite outfit was her blue windbreaker with letter FBI written on
the back, worn over a basic black T-shirt and matching Kevlar vest. The ensemble
went well with everything, particularly when paired with jeans and accessorized
with a Glock.

FBI
Special Agent Kate O’Hare is obsessed with catching the elusive con man, Nick
Fox. Evanovich definitely put her own unique touch on this novel, along with
the help of Lee Goldberg. The action is jam-packed, per usual for any Evanovich
novel, and the characters are full of attitude, passion, and plenty of laughs. O’Hare
and Fox were made for each other, honestly. I knew right from the start of the
novel that I wanted to see them working side by side. Turns out Nick’s greatest
con so far was asking the FBI for a position working right alongside Agent Kate
O’Hare! You can imagine the fireworks that went off in my brain at this point.
From there on it was just one big rollercoaster ride!

Kate
O’Hare was a tough cookie. I kept finding myself comparing her to Stephanie
Plum, but I must say that Kate had a bit more edge than Stephanie. When Kate
had a gun attached to her hip I wasn’t worried that she was going to blow
something up, I was worried she was going to blow someone up! Kate has the talk
and the walk and it was interesting to see a different heroine that still had
some traits of the previous heroine created by Evanovich. Kate is obsessed with
capturing Nicolas Fox, and I could tell straight from the beginning that this
was going to result in a problem for her. Nicolas was not only tall, dark, and
handsome, but also extremely charming and cunning. Not a good mix for any girl
with weak knees. Watch out, Kate!

Nicolas
Fox was what movies are made of! By saying that I mean to say that as soon as
his character comes on scene and we see the way she plays with Kate’s mind, I could
picture this being made into a movie right away! I really hope they make this
book into a movie just like they did with the first Stephanie Plum novel. Nick
is sly and clever and has little tricks up his sleeve that sends Kate over the
edge. There is a running joke in the novel with Toblerone bars, and I think it
is just the perfect touch to their crazy relationship. When these two team up
the novel gets even better! If you are an Evanovich fan be sure to pick up a
copy of this novel today!

***A
copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at Bantam in exchange
for my honest review***

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

For ambitious engineer Simon Darcy, winning Queen Victoria’s competition to
recover lost inventions of historical significance is a matter of pride—and
redemption. After all, it was Simon’s failed monorail project that left his
family destitute, and winning the tournament would surely restore the Darcys’
reputation.

Simon sets his sights high, targeting no less than the infamous time-travel
device that forever changed the world by transporting scientists, engineers,
and artists from the twentieth century. The Mod technology was banned and
supposedly destroyed, but Simon is sure he can re-create it.

His daring plan draws the attention of Willie G., the Clockwork Canary,
London’s sensationalist reporter. Simon soon discovers that Willie is a male
guise for Wilhemina Goodenough, the love of his youth, who left him jilted and
bitter. He questions her motives even as he falls prey to her unique charm. As
the attraction between the two reignites, Simon realizes that this vixen from
his past has secrets that could be the key to his future…as long as he can put
their history behind him.

Simon’s
pulse raced as his brother left the room. With every fiber of his being he knew
the response would be affirmative. His brain churned and plotted. Only one of
them needed to find and deliver the clockwork propulsion engine in order to
avenge their father’s name and secure the family’s fortune. But, by God, Simon
wanted it to be him.

For
the past ten years, Willie had been masquerading as a young man. Sometimes she
was amazed that she’d gotten away with the ruse for so long. Then again, she
was slight of frame as opposed to voluptuous. What womanly curves she did
possess were easily concealed beneath binding and baggy clothing. Her typical
attire consisted of loose linen shirts with flouncy sleeves, a waistcoat one
size too big, and an American-cowboy-style duster as opposed to a tailored
frock coat.

Once
in a great while she yearned for some kind of feminine frippery, but she was
far more keen on surviving this intolerant world than on feeling pretty.

Simon
Darcy’s father has just passed away and he is facing somewhat of a predicament.
He needs to make money and provide for the family that his father left behind.
When Queen Victoria broadcasts an announcement for a competition that she is
holding, he knows that this could be his chance to win the prize and reclaim
some pride for his family who is now in despair. Simon thinks nothing can stand
in his way from winning this prize until The Clockwork Canary, better known as Wilhelmina
Goodenough the lead journalist for the London
Informer, joins him on his new journey. He can’t stand the things that he,
really a she, writes about in the London news, but Simon is about to learn that
The Clockwork Canary has a few secrets of his, I mean her, own!

Another
fabulous book from Beth Ciotta. I discovered Beth about this time last year,
and I have been following her series of books ever since. She is phenomenal at
pulling readers into the Steampunk genre. She even gives readers an “Alternate
World Glossary” at the front of this book, and honestly I spent about a half
hour just losing myself in this alternate world and its terminology. Truly, I
don’t think Beth gets enough credit within the genre. I mean it’s not every day
that people just create a new world!

Simon
and Mina’s search for this time traveling device is one riveting adventure. I
never lost sight of the story and I always felt as if I were involved in the
mission. They are both somewhat secretive characters, so this is a story that
secrets will unravel as you read. In my opinion those are the best kind of
stories. I loved finding out the past between Mina and Simon! Mina stayed camouflaged
as Willie G. for as long as she could. The chemistry between them was wonderful
and I would love see them pop up in future stories as Beth continues this
series!

***A
copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at Signet in exchange
for my honest review***

Monday, June 24, 2013

When
Maude Pichon runs away from provincial Brittany to Paris, her romantic dreams
vanish as quickly as her savings. Desperate for work, she answers an unusual
ad. The Durandeau Agency provides its clients with a unique service—the beauty
foil. Hire a plain friend and become instantly more attractive.

Monsieur Durandeau has made a fortune from wealthy socialites, and when the
Countess Dubern needs a companion for her headstrong daughter, Isabelle, Maude
is deemed the perfect foil.

But Isabelle has no idea her new "friend" is the hired help, and
Maude's very existence among the aristocracy hinges on her keeping the truth a
secret. Yet the more she learns about Isabelle, the more her loyalty is tested.
And the longer her deception continues, the more she has to lose.

But
it is Eiffel’s tower that people line up for, visiting multiple times.

And
I lived without that echo of love and confidence until I found it, once more,
in Paris.

Perhaps
one day my photograph will be taken, my likeness painted or a word written
about me by someone who can see into my soul and tell you something of it.

We
all know that a book with the Eiffel Tower anyone near the front cover, in this
case located on the spine and bottom of the back cover, gets my vote and
immediately finds itself on my To-Be-Read shelf. This book is set in Paris,
France and follows a young runaway named Maude Pichon. Maude has recently run
away from her father and her meaningless country life. She is struggling to
make a name and a life for herself in Paris when she answers an ad that calls
for undemanding work for ugly young women. Yes, you read it right! Maude’s job
is to befriend a beauty in society and make her stand out more by repulsing
people with her unbecoming features. Maude isn’t sure how she feels about this
job at first, but her reality is that she has to make enough money to live if
she is to remain in Paris.

Maude
Pichon was an excellent leading character, although I was a little unsure about
the book within the opening chapters. I found it very demeaning and wondered
how I was going to get through a book where the main character was made to feel
ugly and worthless the entire way through. However, this was not the case. Once
Maude meets her first client Countess Dubern’s daughter, Isabelle Dubern, the
book starts to pick up speed and Maude’s goal becomes apparent. Maude does not
totally embrace her role and cannot stand the fact that she must lie to
Isabelle, whose mother doesn’t want her to know that she has hired an ugly
friend for her in order that she may appear more attractive. Maude has good
intentions and it is easy to like her as a character. Once you read about her
life back home and her situation with her father and her possible
husband-to-be, you will find it easy to want more for Maude as well.

Maude
and Isabelle’s friendship really grabbed my attention. Isabelle’s character is
by far from likeable at first. She is rude and downright hurtful with her
actions and words towards Maude. I couldn’t understand why she was so cold and
turned off in her opening scenes, but I loved finding out about her as Maude
entered her life and tried to become her new best friend.

Lastly,
this is Paris and there is room for a little romance. The romantic pairing in this
book is between Maude and Paul, and this is not a spoiler because readers learn
this early on. This is the part of the book that I had a problem with. I felt
that I didn’t get enough interaction between the two of them. Paul has a
beautiful backstory. He is a struggling Jazz musician who is trying to make it
on the streets of Paris just like Maude.

Paris
is portrayed exquisitely throughout this book! If you are a Paris lover, pick
up a copy now!

***A
copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at Delacorte Books for
Young Readers in exchange for my honest review***

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Take
a splash of betrayal, add a few drops of outrage, give a good shake to proper
behavior and take a big sip of a cocktail called…Ladies' Night!Grace
Stanton’s life as a rising media star and beloved lifestyle blogger takes a surprising
turn when she catches her husband cheating and torpedoes his pricey sports car
straight into the family swimming pool. Grace suddenly finds herself
locked out of her palatial home, checking account, and even the blog she has
worked so hard to develop in her signature style. Moving in with her
widowed mother, who owns and lives above a rundown beach bar called The
Sandbox, is less than ideal. So is attending court-mandated weekly
"divorce recovery" therapy sessions with three other women and one
man for whom betrayal seems to be the only commonality. When their
“divorce coach” starts to act suspiciously, they decide to start having their
own Wednesday "Ladies' Night" sessions at The Sandbox, and the
unanticipated bonds that develop lead the members of the group to try and find
closure in ways they never imagined. Can Grace figure out a new way home
and discover how strong she needs to be to get there?

Heartache, humor, and a little bit of mystery come together in a story about
life’s unpredictable twists and turns. Mary Kay Andrews' Ladies'
Night will have you raising a glass and cheering these characters
on.

Am I really discussing
paint colors with a cop? Within an hour of my life imploding?

This
time around, she promised herself, the blog would be all hers. And for her first
post, she decided to go public with what had happened in her life and to her
old world.

She
pushed the send button and, for the first time in weeks, felt like herself. The
real Grace.

She
held up her iPhone. “I’ve been doing a little dirt digging on my own.”

Mary
Kay Andrews has always been a favorite author of mine and for very good reason.
Her books are light and extremely fun to read. I am always invested in the lives
of her characters and the even the secondary characters have wonderful stories
to tell. This particular book tells the story of a group of women, focusing
around Grace Stanton, who have been sentenced to divorce therapy because they
have acted out as a result of their failed marriages, which really translates
to: they did some really awful to their cheating, lying husbands. Grace Stanton,
whom I love, just happened to find out that her husband was having an affair with
her personal assistant and in return drives his shined up Audi sports car into their
backyard pool. Pretty awesome, right?! Pick up a copy of this book now because
believe me it only gets better!

I
loved sitting in on Ladies’ Night! These four women, plus Wyatt, were hysterical.
As you get further into the book you learn more about each of their lives and
why they ended up in the divorce therapy sessions to begin with. They began
extending their therapy sessions with a drink at the bar owned by Grace’s mom
called Sandbox. It felt like I was
reliving the Sex and the City scene all over again. I loved the chemistry of
the women and Wyatt, and I loved seeing them find happiness and peace again
after learning that their husbands and wife were having an affairs or affairs
plural. Those were the best scenes in the entire book!

The
story mainly focuses on Grace and her life after finding out her husband, Ben,
was having an affair. Grace is such a strong character and I love how she was
never really whiny or overly dramatic after finding out about her affair. Not a
whole lot goes her way after finding out about Ben, but she moves in with her
mom and starts working on getting herself back on her own two feet. She immediately
gets a job and starts looking to improve her own life. I absolutely despised
her ex-husband and his new girlfriend. They deliberately sabotage Grace and I foresee
most women readers hating his guts.

This
was a wonderful summer read and is at the top of my Summer Recommendation List
for 2013!

***A
copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at St. Martin’s Press in
exchange for my honest review***

Friday, June 21, 2013

Infused
with history and mystery, this tale of ghosts, love, and murder takes place in
present-day Gettysburg, where the Civil War still looms large.

Lori Chase doesn't know what to think about ghosts. She may have seen a few in
the past, but those were just childish imaginings...right? Only now that she is
living in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, spirits seem to be on everyone's mind. The
town is obsessed with its bloody Civil War history, and the old inn that Lori's
parents run is supposedly haunted by the souls of dead soldiers.

Then Lori meets one such soldier--the devastatingly handsome Nathaniel Pierce.
Nathaniel's soul cannot rest, and he desperately needs Lori's help. Because
Nathaniel was not killed in the famous battle. He was murdered. Lori begins to
investigate the age-old mystery, stumbling upon shocking clues and secrets.

At the same time, she can't help falling for Nathaniel, just as he is falling
for her....

So,
we’re now officially innkeepers. I hope Nathaniel doesn’t mind our guests
swarming around in his space. Maybe he’ll materialize to welcome some of the
travelers. An odd pang of jealously darts through me. Nathaniel Pierce is my ghost, not theirs.

As
I turn to go, I realize it’s not just Charlotte. Everyone in this town seems to
believe in ghosts.

Meanwhile,
I walk to the foot of the stairs and gaze up, ready to inspect that round room
at the top of the house. I’m going to claim it as my bedroom. Mom and Dad owe
me that much for uprooting me and dragging me across Pennsylvania to this
creepy mansion in the middle of Nowhere, USA. Which, it turns out, might be
haunted.

The
concept of this book sounded wonderful; however, certain aspects of this book
fell short for me. I loved that it was set in Gettysburg, PA because I cannot
remember a time when I read a book set in Pennsylvania. I also loved the Civil
War ghost named Nathaniel Pierce. I was sure that I would walk away giving this
book five beautiful, pink cupcakes, but was sad when I reached certain parts
and was disappointed. Lorelei, “Lori”, and her family have just moved to
Gettysburg to take over ownership of a local bed and breakfast. When they move
in they are warned of the hauntings and spirits left behind in the old inn as
well as the entire town. However, Lori has a secret. She can sense things,
unnatural things. Things that not everyone around her can sense. Let’s just say
that when she meets the ghost of Nathaniel Pierce she’s not as shocked as we
might have been!

What
I had the biggest problem with in this book was the fact that it was
insta-love. I mean Lori met this ghost, Nathaniel, and it seemed like hours
later she was in love with him. They had barely even had a conversation when
she started mentioning her feelings for him. I think he had appeared before her
fully one time, his whole body and not just his voice, before she was gushing
over the guy. I was disappointed in this aspect and would have loved to have
seen it play out a little differently. Nathaniel immediately returned the
feelings too, and at that point I was completely rolling my eyes because
honestly he lived during the Civil War and he has come back to try and figure
out who murdered him not to fall in love with a teenage girl.

This
book did have its redeeming qualities however. The history was rich and full,
and I loved listening to Nathaniel speak about his Civil War stories and the
memories of this childhood. I enjoyed his character more so than Lori’s, who I felt
was a bit dramatic at times, but he still annoyed me by how fast he fell for
Lori. He did bring an edge to the story and he helped draw me closer to the
Civil War town where the book was set.

I
wouldn’t say that this book was bad, but I was never really invested in the story
and it didn’t hurt my heart to tell these characters good-bye. You all know
that I hardly ever give a book below three cupcakes, and I always try to see
the redeeming aspects of any book. This book does have its good traits, and if anything
that I have covered today sounds like something you might read, then please try
out the book. I read this book in less than a day as it was quick and light!

***A
copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at Scholastic Point in
exchange for my honest review***

About Me

My name is Chelsey and I am the creator of Charming Chelsey's! I read and review anything and everything that I find to be "charming."
I accept ARCs or already released books for review, and I'm also available to participate in any blog tours or book reveals too. If anything, please don't hesitate to email me any time for any reason at: charmingchelseys(at)gmail(dot)com